House Churches Under Surveillance to Prevent Worship

Tirruppur District - Photo: Wikipedia / Dksmohankumar
Tirruppur District
Photo: Wikipedia / Dksmohankumar (c)

Police in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu have put several house churches under surveillance in an effort to prevent their use for Christian worship. House church congregations in several villages were warned to stop meeting altogether. Pastors of these small gatherings have been harassed and ordered to get permission from district officials in order to conduct prayer services.

India is officially a secular nation and courts have repeatedly stated that no permission is required for worship in homes. This has not stopped local officials from demanding such permits, often after complaints from others in the community who do not wish to have any Christian activities in their village. For more details on the opposition frequently faced by believers in India, see our country report.

Please lift up in prayer the harassed members of these small house churches and their spiritual leaders. Ask the Lord to grant them wisdom, discernment and favour as they come into contact with community members who are opposed to Christianity. Pray that the local governing officials will abide by the laws of their nation -- providing freedom and protection to all -- so that the growth of the church can move forward unhindered and more of India's citizens can receive needed ministry.

India Information

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”

    Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund

  • Country Information

    Population
    1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)

    Religion (%)
    Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

    Leader
    President Droupadi Murmu (2022)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for India

    Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.

India News